Coatings containing functionalized graphene sheets and articles coated therewith

Abstract

Coatings are provided containing functionalized graphene sheets and at least one binder. In one embodiment, the coatings are electrically conductive.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A coating, comprising functionalized graphene sheets and at least one binder,
 wherein the functionalized graphene sheets have a carbon to oxygen ratio of at least about 50:1. 
 
     
     
       2. The coating of  claim 1 , wherein the binder is a polymeric binder. 
     
     
       3. The coating of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more carriers. 
     
     
       4. The coating of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more dispersants. 
     
     
       5. The coating of  claim 1 , wherein the coating has an electrical conductivity of at least about 10 −8  S/cm. 
     
     
       6. The coating of  claim 1 , wherein the coating has an electrical conductivity of at least about 10 3  S/cm. 
     
     
       7. The coating of  claim 1 , wherein the functionalized graphene sheets have a surface area of at least about 300 m 2 /g. 
     
     
       8. The coating of  claim 1 , wherein the functionalized graphene sheets have a surface area of from about 400 to about 2400 m 2 /g. 
     
     
       9. The coating of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one electrically conductive polymer. 
     
     
       10. The coating of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one carbonaceous materials other than the functionalized graphene sheets. 
     
     
       11. A method for coating a substrate having a surface, comprising the step of applying a coating comprising functionalized graphene sheets and at least one binder to the surface, wherein the functionalized graphene sheets have a carbon to oxygen ratio of at least about 50:1. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the substrate comprises a polymeric material. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the substrate is a metal. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the substrate is a fabric, textile, or pulp product. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the coating has an electrical conductivity of at least about 10 −8  S/cm. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the coating has an electrical conductivity of at least about 10 3  S/cm. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the functionalized graphene sheets have a surface area of at least about 300 m 2 /g. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the functionalized graphene sheets have a surface area of from about 400 to about 2400 m 2 /g. 
     
     
       19. An article coated with a coating comprising functionalized graphene sheets having at least one binder, wherein the functionalized graphene sheets have a carbon to oxygen ratio of at least about 50:1. 
     
     
       20. The article of  claim 19  in the form of an electrical or electronic component housing. 
     
     
       21. The article of  claim 19 , wherein the coating has an electrical conductivity of at least about 10 −8  S/cm. 
     
     
       22. The article of  claim 19 , wherein the coating has an electrical conductivity of at least about 10 3  S/cm. 
     
     
       23. The coating of  claim 1 , wherein the functionalized graphene sheets have a carbon to oxygen ratio of at least about 100:1. 
     
     
       24. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the coating has an electrical conductivity of at least about 10 2  S/cm. 
     
     
       25. The coating of  claim 1 , wherein the binder is one or more polymers selected from the group consisting of poly(ethylene oxide)s, poly(propylene oxide)s, ethylene oxide/propylene oxide copolymers, cellulosic resins, ethyl cellulose, ethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate propionates, cellulose acetate butyrates, poly(vinyl butyral, polyvinyl alcohol, ethylene/vinyl acetate polymers, acrylic polymers and copolymers, styrene/acrylic copolymers, styrene/maleic anhydride copolymers, isobutylene/maleic anhydride copolymers, vinyl acetate/ethylene copolymers, ethylene/acrylic acid copolymers, polyolefins, polystyrenes, olefin and styrene copolymers, epoxy resins, acrylic latex polymers, polyester acrylate oligomers and polymers, polyesterdiol diacrylate polymers, UV-curable resins, and polyamides.